Rafael van der Vaart longs for return to Real Madrid... with Tottenham in the Champions League

Rafael Van der Vaart has said an emotional farewell to Real Madrid - but Tottenham's new signing is dreaming of a return to the Bernabeu in the latter stages of the Champions League.

His old No 23 shirt has been out-selling almost all other replica Madrid tops since his departure and supporters have questioned the club’s wisdom in letting one of their most consistent performers leave.

Goodbye: Van der Vaart (No 23) was a popular figure at Real Madrid

Holland duty: Van der Vaart

'It’s a shame that some Madrid fans were sad that I was sold but I’m
sure we will see each other again soon,' said Spurs' £8million
deadline-day signing. 'It would be a dream to go back to the Bernabeu
with Tottenham. I would feel at home.'

'It was sad for me to leave. I have a lot of good friends in the dressing room. The fans have always treated me well and I have a great opinion of (manager Jose) Mourinho. He has won everything.'

The coach Van der Vaart refers to as ‘the best in the world’ was also reluctant to see the Holland international leave and supporters have laid the blame for his sale at the door of sporting director Jorge Valdano.

Asked about the man who oversaw his departure Van der Vaart said: 'I don’t want to speak badly about anybody, I have too much respect for the club.'

Van der Vaart was brought to Madrid by previous sporting director Predrag Mijatovic under then president Ramon Calderon’s tenure. The new regime tried to sell him last season but he stayed so that his wife could continue treatment for cancer in Madrid.

Mr Popular: Bernabeu fans admired Van der Vaart's consistency

Better half: Rafael with his wife Sylvie

'Thank God my wife is now perfectly OK,' he told Marca. 'She had a very serious
illness and it is true that she had to be treated at the Clinica Quiron.
Last season they wanted me to leave but I couldn't leave for that
reason.

'Now she is well and the only thing that happened was that Madrid wanted to sell and I wanted to get back to enjoying playing football, and Tottenham are a great team that are going to give me the football opportunities that I need.'

Van der Vaart revealed that despite interest from Germany only Atletico Madrid pushed to sign him, and he preferred a move to the Premier League.

'The offer from Bayern never ended up being concrete,' he said. 'In the end, only Atletico Madrid pushed but neither I nor the club (Real Madrid) wanted me to go there.

'Tottenham are an important club. They are in the Champions League and they have built a competitive squad.

'It is a new challenge and I can’t wait to get started on a new challenge that I have always fancied – competing in the Premier League.'